http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040210.waudgen0210/BNStory/NationalAuditor-General Sheila Fraser's report into the federal government's sponsorship program paints a picture of systemic rule breaking that extended beyond Public Works and Government Services Canada and into five major Crown corporations and agencies.
"Our findings on the government's sponsorship program from 1997 to 2001 are deeply disturbing," Ms. Fraser said Tuesday. "Most significant was the widespread non-compliance with contracting rules, which extended beyond Public Works and Government Services Canada and into five major Crown corporations and agencies.
"Rules were broken or ignored at every stage of the process for more than four years, and there was little evidence of value received for the money spent."
The Sponsorship Program consumed $250-million of taxpayers' money, with more than $100-million of that amount went to communications agencies in fees and commissions.